Hat yai: The Department of Highways is accelerating the development of the “Hat Yai City Ring Road” project, aiming to elevate Songkhla Province as a key economic hub in southern Thailand and enhance connectivity with the Thai-Malaysian border.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Highways, under the Ministry of Transport, is committed to advancing a crucial transportation network in the lower southern region to bolster Songkhla’s potential as a regional trade and logistics center.
Hat Yai District, located in Songkhla Province, plays a vital role in trade, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture due to its strategic position linking the upper and lower southern regions. Highway No. 4 (Phetkasem Road) traverses through Phatthalung Province to Hat Yai and the Thai-Malaysian border checkpoint, connecting with major highways, including Highways No. 414, 407, and 43, to various provinces such as Songkhla, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
An efficient bypass network significantly enhances a city’s competitiveness, making the Hat Yai bypass project crucial for elevating the economy of the lower south to match leading economic cities. The project takes inspiration from successful bypass developments in other provinces, such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Udon Thani, which have effectively managed traffic and bolstered their respective regions’ economic potential.
Mr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways, announced that the Hat Yai Outer Ring Road (Highway No. 425) project is part of the department’s master plan for bypass development. This initiative is aligned with the urgent policy of Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport. On November 1, 2025, Mr. Jiwattanakulpaisan led a meeting with various stakeholders to expedite the project and inspected ongoing developments.
The first phase of the eastern section of the project, from Highway No. 4 (Ban Phru) to Highway No. 4135, near Hat Yai Airport, spans 7.182 kilometers with a four-lane road. This phase has a total cost of 3,378 million baht for land acquisition and construction, with civil works on the left and right sides approximately 50% and 15% complete, respectively.
The project comprises two main sections:
1. The eastern side, covering 24.153 kilometers, starts from Highway No. 414 Ban Thung Nam and passes Highways No. 407 and 43, ending at the Highway No. 4 intersection in southern Hat Yai. The budget for this section is 17,890 million baht.
2. The western side, covering 35.51 kilometers, begins at Hat Yai Airport and progresses north via Highway No. 4287, connecting to Highway No. 4 in northern Hat Yai and ending at the Highway No. 414 intersection. The budget for this section is 24,037 million baht.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project has been approved, and the Department of Highways is preparing to seek further approvals from the Ministry of Transport and the Cabinet to advance to the land ownership and construction phase.
Upon completion, the Hat Yai City Ring Road is expected to serve as a critical logistics network, connecting economic zones, enhancing transportation efficiency, and alleviating city traffic congestion. It aims to support tourism, trade, and the Thai-Malaysian border economy, ultimately improving the quality of life for citizens and sustainably enhancing the economic potential of the lower southern region.